HD Aqua was announced on June 8, 2016 via the official Square Enix page, and was released the next day. As part of the KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue promo, HD Aqua was given away in the Japanese version to players who logged in from June 9 to 20, 2016,[1] and in the English version to players who logged in from June 16 to 23, 2016.[2]

In the English version, in celebration of the release of KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, HD Aqua was available during the KH2.8 Launch Celebration! - Get the Exclusive HD Aqua Medal! event from January 20 to February 2, 2017. In addition to the six HD Aqua Medals obtainable from the Event Boards, all players who log in during this event period received a free HD Aqua Medal upon login.[3]